Railroad switch



NLLwHANDE QQ RAILROAB SWITCH Filed may 21, 1946 2 sheets-sheet l lo )We FIGURE l.,

LNYENTOR 36 VITO 'LA GRANDE ATT R N EYB Jan. 3l, R50 v. LA GRANDE 2,495,098

RAILROAD SWITCH Filed. May 2l, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGURE 2 ATTEJRNEYB Patented Jan. 3l, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAILROAD SWITCH vito Lameranae, Westfield, N. J.

Application May 21, 1946, Serial No. 671,192

My present invention relates to an improved railroad switch and more especially to the type of switch usually employed for cross-over connections between pairs of parallel tracks and Wherein each switch includes a single moving switch element.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustra-ted one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention according to thebest mode I have thus far devised but it will be.4 understood that various changes and alterations may be made in the exemplified structure `within the scope of the appended claim.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a top plan view of a railroad switch embodying my invention. 1

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof showing a pair of switches and the cross-over` track connecting two tracks. l v

Figure 3 is a enlarged detail view of theswitch element.

Figure 4 is an end elevational view thereof.

Figure 5 is a side elevational View thereof.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like parts I have illustrated railroad tracks including the rails 2, 4, 6, and 8 on the ties Ill, and the cross-over tracks I2 and I4.

Upon the bases I5 are rail sections connecting `with the above set forth rails of the conventional tracks, and I employ switch points I6 at the junctions of the cross-over rails with the track rails. Guard rails I8 are mounted inside the track sections to prevent the train wheels from jumping the tracks, and all of these elements described are fixed.

The single moving element of the switch of my invention consists in a switch block 22 generally rectangular and formed with a diagonal face 23 adapted for alignment with the cross-over track angle, and a notch 24 in the diagonal tace. This notch permits the ready and close association of the switch block 22 with the apex of the switch point I6 to form a smooth wheel diverting obstruction switching the wheel of the train from the straight tracks to the cross-over tracks.

The switch block 22 is fashioned with opposed flanges 2E and a lower attaching ring 26. A yoke 28 is secured on this ring by means of bolt 29 and the operating rod 30 is preferably integral with the yoke, and the rod extends to the side of the tracks and may be moved reciprocally to move the block to switching position.

Guide housing 32 and `34 are mounted on the 5 ties I8 by means of bolts 36 and these housings confine the flanges 2l of the switch block to guide 1 claim. (o1. 246-430) 2 its reciprocal movement under control of the operating lever 3U.

In non-switching position the switch block remains out of the path of the wheels following tracks 2 and 4 or 6 and 8 and in such position the switch is in position to permit the admission to that track` of trains crossing over from the other track. However to switch a train approaching on the track 6 and 8 for instance in Figure 1 from the left, the switch blockV is moved by the operating rod 30 into the position shown with the diagonalvface of the block confronting the oncoming wheels, and the notch 24 overlapping and covering the apex of the switch point I6.

Thus as .fully described above the switch of my invention utilizes a single moving element, the switch block; and the ease and simplicity with which the switch operates when embodying my invention results in more eilicient operation and the need for closing only one switch of a crossover when it is desired to switch a train. This single switch movement is an improvement of existing switches wherein both switches of a cross-over must be thrown.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A railroadl switch comprising main tracks and switch tracks mounted on ties, Y-shaped bases, rail sections on the bases connected to said tracks, fixed switch points integral with the bases at the junctions of the rail sections of the main tracks and switch tracks, guard rails on the bases inside of the rail sections, a switch block mounted for reciprocal movement at the junction of the main track and switch track, a diagonal face on said block, a notch in said face engageable with the pointed end of said switch point, opposed flanges on said block, an attaching lug on the lower face of said block, an operating rod connected to said lug, guide housings removably fixed to the base andfconning the anges on said block for guiding the block in its reciprocal movement.

VITO LA GRANDE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 804,626 Scargle Nov. 14, 1905 867,918 Johns Oct. 8, 1907 1,302,407 Morrow Apr. 29, 1929 2,060,069 Hafner Nov. 10, 1936 

